KING GEORGE V

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 28 January 1936, Page 2

KING GEORGE V

BRIEF EXTRACTS FROM SPEECHES

LOVE OF EMPIRE AND IDEAL OF WORLD PEACE King George’s speeches reveal predominantly 1 1 is love for the Empire, his close and sympathetic regard for the well-being of its peoples, and his passionate attachment to the ideal of world peace. Some striking passages from His Majesty’s public addresses and appreciations follow: — “The high ideal of universal peace and brotherhood may be far from realisation, but every act that promotes harmony among the nations point the way towards its attainment.” —From a speech delivered in 1908.

“We rejoice to feel that we are united with the people of the whole Empire in their ideals and aspirations, in their joys and sorrows, determined to secure such a peace as will save the generations to come from sulferings, horrors, and desolation inflicted upon the world during the past four years.” —Acknowledging the City of London Corporation's address on the twentyfifth anniversary, in 1918 of Their Majesties’ wedding.

“Who can reflect without awe that the will and power of men, which, in our time, have created the noble bridges of the Thames, the Forth, the Hudson, and Sydney Harbour can drive, also, tunnels such as this, under which many streams of wheeled trallic may run in light and safety, below the depth and turbulence of tidal water bearing the ships of the world?”—At the opening of the Mersey Tunnel in 1934.

“Under the good guidance of the Ruler of all men, I will maintain, upon the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace, the great heritage of the united British Empire.” —On his accession. “The British Empire requires at the present time hard service from all its sons. It requires the hardest service from those to whom most has been given.” —From a speech in 1911. “The foundations of national glory are set in the homos of the people. They will only remain unshaken, while the family life of our race and nation is strong! simple, and pure.” —On his accession.

“This glorious and memorable achievement, coming like a broad light in the darkness, gave freely to the whole English-speaking people the right and the power to search for themselves for the truths and the consolation of our faith.” —Commemoration of tercentary of the Authorised Version of the Bible.

“The King (King Edward VII) is satisfied that the wisdom and patriotism which have characterised the exercise of the wide powers of self-govern-ment hitherto enjoyed by the colonies will continue to be displayed in the exercise of the still wider powers with which the united Commonwealth has been fully endowed.” —Speech in opening the first Commonwealth Parliament in Melbourne.

“If I may be regarded as, in some true sense, the head of this great and widespread family (the British Empire), sharing its life, and sustained by its afi’eetion, this will be a full reward for the long and sometimes anxious labours of my reign of well-nigh five-and-twentv years.”. —24th December, 1934. .“Public school life develops in many ways that characteristic which conduces to national greatness. From it we learn discipline, whether in the classroom or in the playing field. . . Be loyal to your parents, your country, your King, and your God.” —Addressing the boys of Scotch College, Melbourne, in 1901.

“It was a wise and far-seeing policy . . , to place within easy reach of all the means of acquiring that higher education and culture which universities alone can furnish.” —An address in Canada. “Nothing is so essential to the advancement of a people as adequate provision for the training which will keep the coming generation abreast of the march of intellectual progress and scientific knowledge.”—On leaving Canada, on his Imperial tour. “I venture to allude to the impression, which seemed generally to prevail across the seas, that the Old Country must wake up if she intends to maintain her old position of preeminence in her colonial trade against foreign countries.”—At the Guildhall, on his return to London from his Empire tour. “No one could fail to be struck with one all-prevailing and pressing demand —the want of population. . . One condition, and one only, is made by our colonial brethren, and that is, ‘Send us suitable emigrants.’ I appeal to my fellow-countrymen at home to prove the strength of the attachment of the motherland to her children by sending to them only of her best.” —At the Guildhall. “The nation is beginning to realise that, if her commercial supremacy is to be maintained, greater facilities must be given for furthering the application of science to commerce and manufacture.” —On opening the British National Physical Laboratory.